Indian and Sri Lankan Armies Team Up for Mitra Shakti Exercise
The Indian Army’s K-9 squad is participating in the 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’. This event is taking place at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, from August 12 to 25.
The Indian contingent, represented by 106 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles and other arms and services, is working alongside the Sri Lankan contingent from the Gajaba Regiment. The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
Key activities include tactical drills such as response to terrorist actions, establishing a joint command post, setting up an intelligence and surveillance center, securing a helipad, small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, and deploying drones and counter-drone systems.
Mitra Shakti is an annual event held alternately in India and Sri Lanka. The last edition took place in Pune in November 2023. This exercise helps both armies share best practices, develop interoperability, and strengthen their camaraderie. It also enhances defense cooperation and bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
Doubts Revealed
K-9 squad -: A K-9 squad is a team of specially trained dogs and their handlers. These dogs help the army in tasks like finding hidden objects, tracking people, and detecting explosives.
Mitra Shakti -: ‘Mitra Shakti’ is the name of a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka. ‘Mitra’ means friend and ‘Shakti’ means power in Hindi, so it signifies the power of friendship between the two countries.
Army Training School -: An Army Training School is a place where soldiers learn and practice different military skills. In this case, it is located in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
counter-insurgency operations -: Counter-insurgency operations are actions taken by the military to fight against groups that are trying to cause trouble or overthrow the government. These operations help keep the country safe.
tactical drills -: Tactical drills are practice exercises that soldiers do to prepare for real-life situations. These can include responding to emergencies, like terrorist attacks, and using helicopters for special missions.
heliborne operations -: Heliborne operations involve using helicopters to move soldiers and equipment quickly to different places. This helps the army respond faster to emergencies.
interoperability -: Interoperability means that different armies can work well together. It ensures that soldiers from India and Sri Lanka can communicate and cooperate effectively during joint missions.
bilateral relations -: Bilateral relations refer to the relationship between two countries. In this case, it means the friendship and cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
